A Beginner’s Guide to Padel Rules: Everything You Need to Know

What is Padel?

If you are hearing about padel for the first time, get ready to immerse yourself in a thrilling sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. Padel is played in an enclosed court with glass walls and a solid back wall. The best part? It’s suitable for players of all ages and skill levels!

In this beginner’s guide, we will walk you through the basic padel rules, ensuring that you have everything you need to start enjoying this addictive game.

Padel Scoring

Before diving into the rules, let’s understand how the scoring system in padel works. Similar to tennis, padel uses a points-based scoring system. However, there are a few key differences:

• Padel is usually played in doubles, with each team having two players.
• The scoring is the same as tennis (15, 30, 40), but instead of “love,” padel uses “zero.”
• Unlike tennis, in padel, scoring is continuous, meaning that if a game is tied at 40-40, it’s called “40-all” or “deuce,” and one team must win two consecutive points to win the game.

The Padel Serve

Now that you have an idea about scoring, let’s talk about the all-important serve. In padel, the serve is underhand, and the server must hit the ball below waist level, without letting it bounce before hitting it. The serve is done diagonally, and it must reach the opposite diagonal service box.

It’s worth mentioning that if the serve touches the net and lands in the correct service box, it’s called a “let,” and the server gets another chance to serve without losing a point.

Padel Court Boundaries

Unlike tennis, padel has specific boundaries that players must adhere to. Let’s take a quick tour of the padel court:

• The court is always enclosed by walls, usually made of glass.
• The court is divided into two halves by a net.
• The court has a back wall, which is considered in play during a point.
• If the ball hits any of the side walls, it’s still considered in play, and the game continues.
• However, if the ball hits the back wall and doesn’t cross the net or hits the ground before doing so, it’s considered out of bounds, resulting in a point for the opposing team.

Padel Gameplay

The gameplay in padel is fast-paced and exciting. Here are some essential rules to keep in mind:

• Each team must hit the ball alternately between players, without letting it bounce twice on their side of the court.
• The ball can be played off the walls, allowing for creative shots and unpredictable angles.
• Like in squash, players can use the solid back wall strategically.
• If the ball hits the net during gameplay, it remains in play unless it hits the net and goes out of bounds without bouncing.
• Remember, the aim is to score points by hitting the ball past your opponents, making it difficult for them to return it effectively.

A Few Additional Tips

Now that you have a good grasp of the padel rules, here are a few extra tips to help you become a padel maestro:

• Get comfortable with using the walls: Utilize the walls to your advantage by practicing creative shots that catch your opponents off guard.
• Communication is key: As padel is a doubles game, effective communication with your partner is essential for success. Coordinate your moves and strategize together to outsmart your opponents.
• Enjoy the game: Padel is all about having fun! So, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, remember to enjoy every moment on the court and cherish the camaraderie it brings.

So there you have it, a beginner’s guide to padel rules. Now grab your padel rackets, find a court, and get ready to unleash your inner padel superstar. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries to master the game. Embrace the challenge and enjoy the wonderful world of padel!